What would ‘Medicare for all' look like in Florida?

| 10/30/2018

What would ‘Medicare for all’ look like in Florida?

Florida has more people covered under Obamacare than any other state, and is second only to California when it comes to seniors on Medicare. Yet the state’s uninsured rate is still higher than the national average. So it’s no wonder that health care is among the top concerns for voters in the midterm elections — or that Florida has become fertile ground for a new debate over an old idea: "Medicare for all." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Hurricane Michael survivors struggle to access healthcare

It can take years for communities to recover from a disaster as devastating as Hurricane Michael, said Dr. Patricia Cantwell, a pediatrics professor at the University of Miami who has worked in disaster zones for more than two decades. In such all-encompassing emergencies, the intricate infrastructure of healthcare often shows some of the first and longest-lasting cracks. [Source: Miami Herald]

Affordable Care Act 2019 enrollment begins next week, faces new challenges

Floridians buying or renewing Affordable Care Act health insurance during the open enrollment period that begins Thursday will see sharply lower premium increases for unsubsidized plans in 2019, compared to this year. [Source: Fort Myers News-Press ]

Here’s Ron DeSantis’ long-awaited plan on health care

Republican nominee for governor Ron DeSantis surprised a statewide audience during his final debate with Democrat Andrew Gillum last week, when he said he had released his health care plan on his website. DeSantis has been criticized in the past for not having a concrete proposal on the issue. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Panama City News Herald. Read Ron DeSantis' platform here.

Florida cities face 'all or nothing' choices on medical marijuana

Florida cities and counties are in a dilemma about pot. Local governments can either impose outright bans on medical-marijuana dispensaries or allow unlimited numbers of marijuana retail outlets, under an “all or nothing” approach approved during a special legislative session. More from WUSF and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› FSC focuses on Central Florida's health care needs with new Doctor of Nursing Practice Program [Florida Trend]
With its planned launch of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in fall 2019, Florida Southern College will help address the urgent healthcare needs of Polk County residents. The goal of the program is to strengthen the leadership skills of nursing professionals.

› Children’s medical resource center opens in Naples [Business Observer]
The iconic Fifth Avenue South recently took another step in its evolution from primarily a shopping and dining destination into a diverse business hub with the opening of The Nicklaus Children’s Resource Center, which will showcase services, programs, technology and innovations available at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami. Read the full statement from Nicklaus Children's Hospital.

› Florida ranks 13th in nation for childhood obesity [Orlando Sentinel]
Nearly 17 percent of Florida children between the ages of 10 and 17 are obese, according to a recent study, giving Florida the 13th highest rate for childhood obesity among states in the country. See the Florida data here.

› Hot flashes? Boca Raton company's pill approved by feds [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Boca Raton-based TherapeuticsMD on Monday announced its single-pill hormone therapy for menopausal hot flashes has been approved for marketing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Read the full statement from TherapeuticsMD here.

Tags: Health Care eNews

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